How to remove the "Activate Windows" watermark permanently

01Why the watermark appears

Windows shows "Activate Windows – Go to Settings to activate Windows" when it can't find a valid license. Common reasons:

• Windows was installed without a product key, for example on a new PC build or after a clean install.
• The motherboard was replaced, so Windows no longer recognizes the PC (see reactivating after a hardware change).
• The PC was activated with a shared Volume key or an "activator" tool, and that activation stopped working.
• The installed edition doesn't match your key, for example Windows Pro installed with a Home key.

02What an unactivated Windows limits

• The watermark stays on top of everything, including games and full-screen videos.
• Personalization is locked: you can't change the wallpaper, colors, lock screen or themes in Settings.
• Windows reminds you to activate from time to time.

03Remove it for good: activate Windows

1. Open Settings → System → Activation (Windows 10: Settings → Update & Security → Activation).
2. Check the edition shown there (Home or Pro). You need a key for that edition.
3. Click Change next to Change product key, enter your 25-character key and click Activate.
4. When the page shows Active, restart the PC. The watermark is gone.

Full details, including the command-line method, are in how to activate Windows. No key yet? Get Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro.

04Already had a working license on this PC?

If this PC was activated before, you may not need a new key. Sign in with the Microsoft account you used before, then run the Activation troubleshooter in Settings → System → Activation. It often restores the license in a minute.

05Don't use registry hacks or "activators"

Many websites suggest editing the registry, running a script or downloading a "KMS activator" to hide the watermark. Registry tricks only hide the text: Windows is still not activated and personalization stays locked. Activator tools are piracy tools and a common way to get malware, and the activation they create can stop at any time. A genuine key is cheaper than cleaning up a hacked PC.

06Watermark still there after activating?

• Restart the PC. The watermark sometimes stays until the next restart.
• Check Settings → System → Activation again. If it shows an error code, look it up in Windows activation errors.
• Run slmgr /xpr in Command Prompt. It should say the machine is permanently activated. See how to check if Windows is activated.